Impact of the European DMA on Google Search Results and Maps Access
Searching for an address on Google and clicking the map that appears as the top search result no longer redirects to Google Maps, neither on mobile nor on desktop. Users who frequently relied on this function in Spain have noticed the change in recent days. The act of searching for a place to open it in the map has become twice as tricky because the Maps button also vanished from the search toolbar where Images, Videos, News, and Books sit. The common reaction is to assume the feature is broken, but the reality runs deeper.
Google has implemented several adjustments to search results in response to a new European regulation known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), approved in late 2022 and now gradually rolled out. In the context of the DMA, the company describes these changes as part of compliance measures that affect how results are displayed and how certain functions are presented to users in the European Union.
“As part of our efforts to align with the Digital Markets Act, we have made changes to how search results are shown, including the removal of some features”, a Google representative explained through a regional press outlet. “EU users will no longer see direct access to Maps at the top of the search page” (Source: Google communications, via regional reporting). This shift signals a move toward greater neutrality in the presentation of search results.
Now, to locate an address, users should open Google Maps directly—whether on mobile or desktop—and perform the search there. A similar pattern emerges with places such as restaurants or banks: on desktop, the search results no longer provide a direct map link, and top results may come from third-party sites rather than Google itself. This change is part of a broader redesign aimed at complying with DMA requirements and ensuring a more level playing field among digital services.
According to regulatory analysts, the DMA is intended to strengthen neutrality and curb potential dominant-position abuses. A specialist in regulatory analysis explains that the DMA restricts how services can link to their own products through search interfaces, insisting on platform neutrality. The principle mirrors other steps taken to prevent preinstalled controls on devices that favor one vendor over others. The intent is to prevent gatekeeping that could limit consumer choice and competition.
In this framework, Europe seeks to reduce advantages that could suppress competition and harm consumers. Tech companies are adapting in various ways. For instance, some brands have announced adjustments to their apps and store ecosystems in response to the evolving rules. The broader aim is to ensure a fairer digital marketplace where users can reach competing services more readily through search results and navigational tools.
Moreover, recent regulatory actions highlight the stakes. A major technology company faced a substantial fine tied to concerns about abusing its app store position. The European courts ruled that certain restrictions impeded competitors from effectively promoting their pricing and promotions within an app marketplace. Observers view the ruling as a signal of the DMA’s seriousness and a step toward its full implementation. A company spokesperson framed the decision as a move by the European Commission to reinforce the law before it becomes fully operative. (Source: EU court decision summaries, regulatory commentary.)
As these changes unfold, users in Europe may notice a shift in how search results surface and how direct navigational actions link to map and location services. The overarching goal remains clear: protect consumer choice, improve competition, and reduce proprietary lock-in across digital services. The implications extend to multiple platforms and encourage ongoing adjustments to how search engines, maps, and related tools interoperate with the broader ecosystem of online services.
For those tracking the evolution of digital markets, the DMA represents a framework that continues to shape the behavior of major tech players. Observers expect continued refinements as regulators assess real-world outcomes and businesses adapt their interfaces to align with neutrality requirements. The evolving landscape invites readers to stay informed about how search experiences may shift and how location-based results are presented across services in the European market and beyond. (Source: European Commission updates, industry analyses.)